Best Graphics Card For Me?

[tjvers]

I played CS:S the other day and the fps was terrible! I found out this is because my pc has a intergrated graphics card... Its an intel chipset -.-.

So now I'm looking to buy a new graphics card and I don't have a clue where to start.

Here are my specs:

Intel® Pentium® 4 640 Processor with HT (3.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
512 MB PC3200, 400 MHz (planning to upgrade to 2GB)
Intel 915G Express Chipset
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA)
250-GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
300 Watt Bestec Power Supply

More Info; http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/5276/5276sp3.shtml

And my budget is £100.


Im not looking for something amazing, I just want a graphics card which will enable me to play 3D games without a really bad FPS. (Mainly Counter Strike:Source). And I don't mind if I'm not running high detail on the games.

 

[jumpmaster]

you can get a Radeon X1950 XT for around $170, thats about a 100 pounds. good performance youll be able to run most games maxed out when you upgrade the ram too. if you want a card for less then get the GeForce 8600 GT or Radeon HD 2600 XT for around $115 or 57 pounds. most games will run fine with those two cards. You might also need to upgrade you Power supply because the cards take a lot of power.

 

[SteelZ]

Like jumpmaster said, Thought a X1950 XT is pretty expensive u could go for a X1950 PRO which is slower but about $30 cheaper.

A X1950Pro is alittle better than a 7900GS which is good enough for games even BIOSHOCK!!! on Dx9 of course! And yes Get 2 GB .

BTW if u do go for a X1950 or 8600GT PLS change ur PSU 300W Just wont Cut it!

 

[tjvers]

Few Questions

Would this be a good X1950 to go for?

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?ProductID=15335&AddReview=0#ShowReview



Would this power supply be good?

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/124926/rb/0



And my final question:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/63128/rb/0

Would that RAM be ok to add to my existing (2x256MB)?

 

[jumpmaster]

yea that video card and PSU are good.the RAM will do even tough it wont run in dual channel mode, 1.5 Gigs should be sufficient for your system. Enjoy your upgraded computer.

 

[tjvers]

Thanks alot for your help

 

[TurdBurglar]

I never saw anything about whether you had a PCI express slot or even an AGP slot. Hope you got it worked out.

 

[Mousemonkey]

@ tjvers you could get the 512 version for a quid less http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/product_i...=3209&osCsid=6584bd6d1b510f4235e9d57a69dd36a8 just a thought.

 

[Onus]

I would not trust that PSU; way too cheap. If possible, choose one from Tier-3 or better from this list:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

If spending a good amount on upgrading your PSU is not an option, consider a 7600GT. This card doesn't need any additional power, and should handle CS:S fairly well; other games too but not on high settings, which you say is ok. You would then also be able to up your RAM to at least 1GB, which should also make a notable difference in a lot of things.

 

[tjvers]

I would not trust that PSU; way too cheap. If possible, choose one from Tier-3 or better from this list:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

If spending a good amount on upgrading your PSU is not an option, consider a 7600GT. This card doesn't need any additional power, and should handle CS:S fairly well; other games too but not on high settings, which you say is ok. You would then also be able to up your RAM to at least 1GB, which should also make a notable difference in a lot of things.

Right I see, thanks!

I don't really want to upgrade my PSU as it will be a pain getting one that fits etc. So does that mean If I buy a 7600 GT I will not need to upgrade my PSU? If not thats excellent.

Also does it matter what kind of 7600 GT I choose? Since there seems to be so many! its so confusing.

 

[cristip60]

If you are not a hardcore gamer and if you mainly play cs.s then get this
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/127446
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/106366
i realize that it is over your budget but the power supply will help you in your future upgrades as well.

 

[tjvers]

I don't really plan on upgrading my pc anymore once I've got a good graphics card, because I plan on buying a new computer near in the future. Thats why I want to spend £100 on a decent card now which i can use in this computer in hope of using it in my next computer.


also whats the difference between all these different 7600 GT's?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000O378A8/pgceret-21/ref=nosim
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A0687741
http://www.yoyotech.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=13_66&products_id=1445&osCsid=6584bd6d1b510f4235e9d57a69dd36a8
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16305)XFX-GeForce-7600GT-256MB-Fatal1ty-DDR2-PCIE.aspx

 

[Mousemonkey]

I'd go for the Palit one from YOYOTech and put the cash that you'd save towards the next rig.

 

[uberman]

First find out if you have an AGP or a PCI-e slot.A 7600gt would be a good card for your needs.You will definately notice the difference from the integrated graphics and you don't need to worry about the power supply.Just get the least expensive one with the proper interface for your machine and that should hold you till your new build.I agree that at least 1gig of ram would help also.

 

[tjvers]

Its PCIe

 

[Onus]

Get the cheapest one, because when you build your new machine and are not constrained by the PSU, you'll get a better graphics card anyway. Hopefully the next generation will be out and there will be some more quality choices, otherwise something like an 8800GTS would be great, or even a x1950xt.